Abstract: A hard disk drive carriage arm includes a top depressed portion or indentation extending from a top surface toward a bottom surface and a bottom depressed portion or indentation extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface and opposing the top depressed portion. As such, a separating structure between the depressed portions partitions a corresponding balance hole, preferably at or near a mid-plane between the top and bottom surfaces. This configuration does not notably increase windage-based power loss while suppressing fluid force fluctuation, thereby stabilizing and balancing the airflow inside of the depressed portions.

Abstract: A configurable door system includes a first and second door panel, an astragal, and a frame. The frame defines a first axis and is configured to pivotally support the door panels in a first configuration of the door system and in a second configuration of the door system. The first door panel is disposed to one side of the second door panel along the first axis within the frame in both the first and second configurations. The door system, in the first configuration, includes the astragal fixed to the first door panel and releasably attaches the first door panel to the frame, and the second door panel is releasably secured to the astragal. The door system, in the second configuration, includes the astragal fixed to the second door panel and releasably attaches the second door panel to the frame, and the first door panel is releasably secured to the astragal.

Abstract: A hard disk drive enclosure base includes a non-uniform disk shroud surface extending from a top to a floor, the shroud surface including a first portion having a first radius and clearance along the circumference of the shroud surface and a second portion having a lesser second radius and clearance. The second portion of the shroud surface may be positioned at multiple locations where the drive form factor is especially constraining and in view of the need for a sufficient seal land surface for applying a gasket seal around the perimeter of the inner cavity of the base part. Widening the disk shroud clearance where possible can reduce the shear stress exerted at the disk edges thereby reducing the windage drag and associated disk spindle motor power consumption, especially in the context of helium-filled drives in which disk flutter is less of an issue.

Abstract: Described herein is a magnetic storage device that includes at least one magnetic disk, at least one armature rotatably movable relative to the at least one magnetic disk, and a transducer head coupled to the armature. The magnetic storage device further includes a stiffener that is coupled to the armature. The stiffener includes at least one arm having a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) portion and a deflection portion angled relative to the FPCB portion. The magnetic storage device also includes an FPCB coupled to the stiffener.

Abstract: Approaches for a single part that comprises an upstream spoiler and a crash stop for use within a hard-disk drive (HDD). The integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has one or more wings which diverts and reduces the flow of air, resulting from the rotation of the magnetic-recording disks within the HDD, from a magnetic-recording head of the HDD. The integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has a structure that also prevents the actuator from moving beyond a particular location. After the integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has been affixed within the HDD, the one or more wings may be rotated between the one or more magnetic-recording disks into a desired position.

Abstract: An integrated load-unload ramp structure with a downstream spoiler and a slit-shroud for a hard-disk drive (HDD). The integrated load-unload (L/UL) ramp structure includes a L/UL ramp-structure portion, at least one downstream spoiler integrally attached to the L/UL ramp-structure portion, and a slit-shroud including at least one wing, the slit-shroud integrally attached to the L/UL ramp-structure portion. The L/UL ramp-structure portion is configured both for loading, and for unloading, at least one head-slider from at least one magnetic-recording disk. The downstream spoiler is configured for operation in an airflow downstream from the head-slider. In addition, the slit-shroud is configured to suppress axial airflow components in close proximity to an outside-diameter (OD) edge of the magnetic-recording disk. A HDD including the integrated L/UL ramp structure and a method for assembling a HDD with an integrated L/UL ramp structure are also provided.

Abstract: Approaches for a single part that comprises an upstream spoiler and a crash stop for use within a hard-disk drive (HDD). The integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has one or more wings which diverts and reduces the flow of air, resulting from the rotation of the magnetic-recording disks within the HDD, from a magnetic-recording head of the HDD. The integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has a structure that also prevents the actuator from moving beyond a particular location. After the integrated upstream spoiler and crash stop has been affixed within the HDD, the one or more wings may be rotated between the one or more magnetic-recording disks into a desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding bypass reentry flow through contraction and filter in a hard disk drive. The method provides a bypass channel for directing airflow away from a first portion of a disk of the hard disk drive and toward a second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. A contraction portion is coupled with the bypass channel at a location wherein the bypass channel directs the airflow back toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. The contraction portion accelerates a first portion of the airflow directed toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. A filter portion integral with the contraction portion is utilized for filtering a second portion of the airflow directed toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A disk drive comprising a combination disk drive counterbalance and disk clamp seal is provided. The disk drive comprises a spindle for rotating a disk, the spindle comprising a hub. The disk drive further comprises a disk clamp for clamping the disk to the hub and a clamp seal coupled to the disk clamp for sealing the disk clamp from contamination wherein the clamp seal comprises a counter balance weight for balancing rotation of the disk.

Abstract: A device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to each of the disks. A diverter portion of the device enhances the volumetric flow of air through a diffuser and a contraction. The overall function of the device effectively expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks.

Abstract: A system for locating and determining the orientation of fasteners in hard disk drive spindle assemblies utilizes a sensor system that facilitates an automated rework process for the spindle assemblies. The screw locating system identifies the locations of the screws in a spindle and generates a signal for a screw driver system to align tool bits with the screws. The sensor is highly advantageous when reworking spindle motors with opaque labels that cover and/or block the fasteners. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art techniques by using a screw locating system that is based on a selected capacitance probe without requiring the use of timing features.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention clamp assembly for a disk which includes a cavity for trapping the excess lubricant which migrates from the load bearing threads of the screws that hold the assembly in place. In a preferred embodiment a flexible structure, called a screw lubricant trap, is included between a clamp and hub. A recess for the screw lubricant trap is formed in one or both of the mating surfaces of the clamp and/or the hub. The screws are arranged in the interior of the screw lubricant trap, so that when the hub is spinning, the excess lubricant is forced into the cavity to kept the excess lubricant from migrating onto the disk. The screw lubricant trap is preferably made to be non-load bearing to avoid affecting the load on the screw. Alternatively, a groove can be machined in the clamp to serve as the lubricant trap.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding bypass reentry flow through contraction and filter in a hard disk drive. The method provides a bypass channel for directing airflow away from a first portion of a disk of the hard disk drive and toward a second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. A contraction portion is coupled with the bypass channel at a location wherein the bypass channel directs the airflow back toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. The contraction portion accelerates a first portion of the airflow directed toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive. A filter portion integral with the contraction portion is utilized for filtering a second portion of the airflow directed toward the second portion of the disk of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing a data storage disk to the hub of a spindle motor in a disk drive prevents the migration of lubricant into sensitive areas of the disk drive. The problem of lubrication migration due to the use and presence of fastener lubricant is resolved by using a rib on a composite disk clamp. The rib strengthens the clamp structure and has a sealing ring. The ring has a semi-circular sectional profile with a flat surface that is used to bond the ring to the rib. The ring has elastic properties that compensate for hub vibration to isolate the disk clamp from the hub, and also provides damping between the hub and the disk clamp.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a circumferential rib protruding from a lower surface of the disk clamp. A complementary recess is formed in the hub of the spindle motor for closely receiving the rib on the disk clamp. The inner diameter of the rib and the outer diameter of the recess are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the disk clamp with respect to the hub and spindle motor. This design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly and the overall part cost is reduced.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a stress distributing cavity to reduce the stress concentration on disk under the screw locations. The cavity may comprise a single, completely circumferential annular slot located in the perimeter side wall of the clamp, or a series of smaller cavities that are angularly aligned with each screw in the perimeter of the clamp. In the case of adding a series of small stress distribution cavities, the load distribution is modulated to higher harmonic components, thus reducing the peak-to-valley value of reaction force on the contact ring by about 20% to 50%.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for solving flow-induced track misregistration (TMR) problems in hard disk drives (HDD). Boundary layer manipulation techniques are applied to the airflow in the HDD, such as boundary layer suction with slots or holes, and wall damping techniques, such as an open honeycomb seal and Helmholtz resonators. These flow-conditioning solutions reduce the turbulence intensity throughout the HDD to reduce TMR. These solutions achieve these goals while minimizing increases in the running torque needed to overcome their inherent rotational drag.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for solving flow-induced track misregistration (TMR) problems in hard disk drives (HDD) are directed to breaking up large-scale eddies, and straightening air flows with honeycomb structures, woven wire screens, and guide vanes or holes. In addition, boundary layer manipulation techniques are applied to the airflow in the HDD, such as boundary layer suction with slots or holes, and wall damping techniques, such as an open honeycomb seal and Helmholtz resonators. These flow-conditioning solutions reduce the turbulence intensity throughout the HDD to reduce TMR. These solutions achieve these goals while minimizing increases in the running torque needed to overcome their inherent rotational drag.

Abstract: A data recording disk drive has damping plates with nonplanar surfaces for reducing flow-induced, out-of-plane vibration of the disks. The nonplanar damping plates reduce spindle motor torque, as compared with planar damping plates, while reducing the turbulent intensity. Each damping plate has a nonplanar surface that results in spacing between the plate surface and its associated disk surface that varies in the radial direction. The nonplanar surface may be a pattern of surface irregularities or features that may be arranged in concentric patterns, such as a pattern of concentric grooves, depressions or protuberances. The nonplanar surface may be shaped as a section of a conic surface so that in the radial direction the spacing between the damping plate surface and its associated disk surface varies linearly. For the disk surfaces facing the top and bottom of the disk housing, the nonplanar surfaces are applied to the top and bottom of the disk housing.

Abstract: A device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to the disks. The device gradually expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks. The device has a comb-like structure that is offset slightly from the spinning disk pack in the radial direction. The structure fulfills an aerodynamic function, reduces track misregistration, lowers overall aerodynamic dissipation and fulfills a filtration function.